If fighting were taken out of the equation, would you still train? Would there be a greater abundance of IMA's or Aikido-type arts, or would MMA, boxing, MT etc still exist as a form of 'personal development' arts?

Again, I realize that fighting will most likely never be evolved beyond by humans, but if it WERE, where would that take MA's?

I think they would still be around. Combat sports now are pretty much academic, considering that actual war, and most street-crime (at least here in the USA) involves weapons - often from great distances.

_________________________"In case you ever wondered what it's like to be knocked out, it's like waking up from a nightmare only to discover it wasn't a dream." -Forrest Griffin

Seriously? That's not what I experienced in the big city - people were pretty quick to start throwing swings or crappling. Guns were generally used in premeditated assaults. But that's not really the point....

Quote:Seriously? That's not what I experienced in the big city - people were pretty quick to start throwing swings or crappling.

Yes, seriously. And you'll definitely be "crappling" when someone draws a gun on your ass (kidding).

I'm just telling you what happens here. I'm not saying that fist fights don't occur. I mean you could be at a frat party where alcohol is present, along with women and men eager to find their place in the pecking order. But I'm not just talking about frat parties or the "bar scene".

People are shooting out of their cars here while driving down the street. People pull guns when they are threatened with anything. Sure, things will change depending on the locale. But isn't it better to assume the worst, regardless of where you're located?

Quote:

Guns were generally used in premeditated assaults. But that's not really the point....

That isn't what I'm seeing though. People are walking around carrying guns anymore. The stats of people who are applying for concealed carry permits are climbing each year. Well, that's just the folks going through the LEGAL channels and says nothing about the people illegally carrying.

That would be absolutly tragic. yet, I believe that it is already happening. Fortunately, for those hypothetical pacifists of the future, there is so much more than combat to be experienced by the arts. Philosophy, exercise, history, being "that wierd guy who does kung fu"...ect. It's more and more about the acrobatics than the practical now, but I would prefer practical anyday.

On the original question, yes, I think more than 90% of fight fans and martial artists would continue training. I dont box for self defence, so much as the fact that I enjoy doing it and it keeps me fit. which im sure the vast majority of people out there are doing it for. of course you would lose a lot of the people that start training because they got beaten up or something, but the existing population wouldnt change too much